Treating tongue-tie

Treatment isn't necessary if your baby has tongue-tie but can feed without any problems. If their feeding is affected, treatment involves a simple procedure called tongue-tie division.

Tongue-tie division

Tongue-tie division involves cutting the short, tight piece of skin connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (the lingual frenulum).

It's a quick, simple and almost painless procedure that usually resolves feeding problems straight away.

The procedure

Tongue-tie division is carried out by a specially trained doctors, nurses or midwives.

In very young babies (those who are only a few months old), the procedure is carried out without anaesthetic (painkilling medication), or with a local anaesthetic that numbs the tongue.

The procedure doesn't seem to hurt babies. This is because there are very few nerve endings in the area around the floor of the mouth. Some babies sleep through the procedure, while others cry for a few seconds.

A general anaesthetic is usually needed for older babies with teeth, which means they'll be unconscious throughout the procedure.

The baby's head is held securely while sharp, sterile scissors are used to snip the tongue-tie. Some practitioners use a laser instead of scissors.

It only takes a few seconds, and you can start feeding your baby immediately afterwards.

There should be little blood loss, although some bleeding is likely. A white patch may form under the tongue, which takes 24 to 48 hours to heal, but doesn't bother the baby.

Research suggests most babies who have treatment for tongue-tie find breastfeeding easier afterwards.